Rahul Gandhi not ruler by temperament: Digvijaya Singh

A controversy erupted on Sunday as Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh said Rahul Gandhi does not have the temperament of a ruler and felt that he should have taken up the responsibility of Leader of the Party in Lok Sabha.

"By temperament, woh sattadhaari vyakti nahin hain. By temperament, woh aisa vyakti hai jo anyay ke khilaph ladna chaahta hai (He is not a ruler by temperament. By temperament he is a person, who wants to fight injustice," Singh said in an interview to a local news channel of Goa.

He was responding when asked why Rahul Gandhi does not accept responsibility and takes a backseat while handing over the same to others.

To another question as to why Gandhi did not become the Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Singh said, "I can say that in a democracy, opposition space is necessary. Since the Congress is the largest opposition group, our Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi should have taken up the responsibility."

Later, clarifying in Bangalore, he told reporters, "No. I said he is always fighting against injustice and therefore he is not for power. He fights injustice. That is the difference between us and him."

Responding to a query about his statement being perceived as raising question on Gandhi's leadership quality, he said, "No no. It is every one doesn't hanker after power. Even Mrs Sonia Gandhi... she never took the Prime Ministership, that is difference between the family and others." "He is aggressive when it comes to fighting injustice," Singh said.

"He is leading the party," he said in response to a question.